Easy Banana Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting is our favorite banana cake recipe. It starts with a box cake mix but you would not know it because it tastes better than scratch cake.
Banana cake is my family’s favorite desserts. In fact it is our favorite way to eat bananas. This Easy Banana Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting is a take off from my late mother-in-law’s banana cake. My mother-in-law was a no nonsense kind of cook. She was one of nine children brought up during the depression and she was also the mother of six children. Betty would cook all of the family meals on a budget and she learned quickly what worked and what did not. Her banana cake became a family favorite and tradition.
It is a cheater cake but it tastes better than any banana cake I have ever had or made from scratch. So you ask what is a cheater cake. I call cakes that use a box mix with add ins cheater cakes. Let me tell you that there really is a place for these kind of cakes. They are quick to come together, amazingly dependable and are absolutely delicious.
Again I repeat myself, I have tried baking many banana cakes from scratch without even coming close to the deliciousness in this Easy Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. I have even proposed taste tests for family and friends and hands down every time this cake comes out the winner. This delicious beauty can be prepped and in the oven in about ten to fifteen minutes. The icing only takes about five minutes to whip up and tastes heavenly.
How to make Easy Banana Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting
Whisk together the dry ingredients; cake mix, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Add water, oil and eggs as directed on box. Stir in mashed bananas. Bake in greased pan. For the frosting cream butter and cream cheese. Beat in vanilla extract and powdered sugar. Ice cake when completely cooled. If desired top with chopped pecans. It is just that simple.
Tips for making this Easy Banana Cake!
- Always preheat your oven and bake the cake in the center of the oven.
- Grease and flour your baking dish well. I love Baker’s Joy which is a non stick baking spray with flour.
- Use over-ripe bananas. Brown mushy bananas make a more flavorful moist cake.
- If you really love cinnamon go hog wild and use a whole teaspoon.
- Experiment with different cake mixes like butter pecan and spice.
- Do not over-bake the cake. Start testing with the toothpick at 35 minutes.
- The frosting can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Other delicious banana recipes you will love!
Easy Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Banana Cake
- 1 box yellow cake mix I used Betty Crocker
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Pinch of cloves
- Water oil and eggs (that are listed on the box)
- 3 large over-ripe bananas mashed about 1 1/2 cups
Cream Cheese Icing
- 1 box 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 6 tablespoons softened unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- Optional: 1/3 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9 x 13 pan.
- In large bowl whisk together dry box mix, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Add water, oil and eggs as directed on box. With mixer on medium speed or beat vigorously by hand for 2 minutes. Stir in mashed bananas.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
- In medium bowl using mixer cream butter and cream cheese. Beat in vanilla extract. Beat in powdered sugar about 1/2 cup at a time. Spread over cooled cake. If using top with chopped pecans.
- Store cake in refrigerator.
Video
Notes
- Always preheat your oven and bake the cake in the center of the oven.
- Grease and flour your baking dish well. I love Baker’s Joy which is a no stick baking spray with flour.
- Use over-ripe bananas. Brown mushy bananas make a more flavorful moist cake.
- If you really love cinnamon go hog wild and use a whole teaspoon.
- Experiment with different cake mixes like butter pecan and spice.
- Do not over-bake the cake. Start testing with the toothpick at 30 minutes.
- The frosting can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge.
Nutrition
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Sam
LOVE that you used cake mix. Such a timesaver for such a delicious cake. SO GOOD!
Toni
My family loved it! A new favorite dessert in our house!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Toni! I am glad that you liked it!!
Liz
This combo is phenomenal!! And so easy to make, too!
Sommer
The addition of the cream cheese frosting really takes this cake over the top good!
alyssa
This is delish! Made it for book club and it got devoured!!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Alyssa! So glad that they liked it!
Katie
Yum- what a decadent treat! And who can say no to cream cheese frosting??
Beth Pierce
I agree Katie! Delicious!
Julie
Can’t wait to make this! I love banana cake.
Lindsay Cotter
I love how easy this is to make! The banana flavor is so awesome!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Lindsay! We love it too!
Becky
Do you know how long I should bake it in a bundt pan?
Beth Pierce
No I have not tried it a bundt pan.
Sandra
I’m away & don’t have baking soda. Do u think it will be nessasary?
Beth Pierce
Yes baking soda helps keep the bananas for settling in the bottom of the cake.
Pat
This cake looks delicious and I am going to make. Can it be frozen?
Beth Pierce
You can freeze the cake but I think I would make the cream cheese frosting fresh. I know a lot of ladies who do freeze cream cheese frosting but I personally think that it changes the consistency a little bit.
Lisa M
I made this tonight and wow it went over awesome! My 17 year old picky son sent me a text that said – Mom that was good as freak! That’s HUGE! I didn’t have cloves and I only had salted butter and I used 4 bananas since that’s what I had ready to throw out. BIG HIT!! Easy to make! Kid and adult approved!!! ?
Beth Pierce
I am so happy to hear that. Good as freak. That is awesome and I love it. You made my day! Thanks so much!
Maria
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I made this on a family vacation as a birthday cake for my father and it was hit with the entire family. Very easy and delicious!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much! I am so glad that you liked it. I love that banana cake…maybe a little too much! LOL!
Carol Anne Giles
I made this for my children and grandchildren and one of my granddaughters asked me for the recipe. Great praise coming from her as she can be so picky. Thank you so much… your recipe was Enjoyed by all
Beth Pierce
I am so glad that you, your children and your grandchildren enjoyed it. You are most welcome and you made my morning with such a sweet comment.
Carole
I made this in order to use up a couple of overripe banans. There was only about a cups worth, so I made up the difference with applesauce. It was SO GOOD. My brother-in-law couldn’t get enough, which is high praise indeed. This will become my go to banana cake from here on out. Thanks for sharing!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure. Thanks so much for leaving such a sweet complement. You made my day!
Kathy
Beth oh this is wonderful!!! God bless you for posting this recipe… The best one yet ..
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Kathy! I am so glad that you liked it!
Ruby
I’m trying the applesauce because I only had 2 bananas, as well. Hope it turns out o.k.!
Beth Pierce
Sounds like a plan Ruby!
Tina
Hi Beth,
Do you think salted butter would ruin this frosting? It’s the only kind I buy and you know how chefs claim every recipe needs a pinch of salt! ?
Beth Pierce
I think it will be fine.
Patty weeks
The banana looks very easier than my recipe. I am at the great age where everything should be easy. I meant Banana Cake . Sure looks yummy.
Sandra Marcell
This is a very moist cake Its my 2nd time making it. My Greatgrandson wants it for his bday cake next week. He will be 5. My husband wants it made tonight ,it was a big hit
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Sandra! So glad that it is a hit with your family.